Shoppers from overseas ...

Support | Event Directors & Organizers

Search Cool Running Community

Browse Cool Running

CoolRunning.com > Cool Running Community > Clubhouse >

Up to Threads in Clubhouse

14 Replies Last post: Nov 25, 2007 7:20 AM by bigapplepie

JimUB

103 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

Nov 24, 2007 12:49 PM

Shoppers from overseas

I was in the Twin Cities over the weekend and read in the local paper how shoppers from overseas are coming over in droves to take advantage of the cheap dollar, and heard a similar program on NPR.

Now all of the people who say the economy is so good will tell us that it's a good thing that these people are leaving money in the USA and that the low dollar will create more of a market for our exports.

But I have a hard time seeing how turning the US into a world Wal-Mart for cheap goods is good news.

bburgoyne26

306 posts since
Jul 9, 2003

1. Nov 24, 2007 1:21 PM

in response to: JimUB

Re: Shoppers from overseas

ha...and the top 4% of America's rich, Bush's favored ones, the ones who make money off of the people shopping, are jetting off to Switzerland to be some quality watches, jewelry, etc...

tazawa055

352 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

2. Nov 24, 2007 1:27 PM

in response to: JimUB

Re: Shoppers from overseas

quote:<HR>Originally posted by JimUB:
I was in the Twin Cities over the weekend and read in the local paper how shoppers from overseas are coming over in droves to take advantage of the cheap dollar, and heard a similar program on NPR.

Now all of the people who say the economy is so good will tell us that it's a good thing that these people are leaving money in the USA and that the low dollar will create more of a market for our exports.

But I have a hard time seeing how turning the US into a world Wal-Mart for cheap goods is good news.

<HR>

I heard that NPR report too. People flying from Iceland to shop at Target....

I think it will have a small, positive effect on certain areas such as NYC and cities accessable to those wealthy Canadians, but I don't see that it will mean much for the hinterland. Not much in the way of manufacturing around here, anyway.

JimUB

103 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

3. Dec 20, 2007 5:44 PM

in response to: JimUB

Re: Shoppers from overseas

quote:<HR>Originally posted by bburgoyne26:
ha...and the top 4% of America's rich, Bush's favored ones, the ones who make money off of the people shopping, are jetting off to Switzerland to be some quality watches, jewelry, etc...<HR>

...while those of us common folks who find themselves outside the US borders are wondering whether the Confederates won the war and that we're trying to buy things with their money.

I never claimed to know much about economics, but I sure felt a lot richer back around 1999-2000 when the Euro was worth less than the dollar.

http://This message has been edited by JimUB (edited Nov-24-2007).

MnD

146 posts since
Jan 21, 2005

4. Nov 24, 2007 1:50 PM

in response to: JimUB

Re: Shoppers from overseas

A weak dollar has good and bad but I'll dump some good news on this Gloomy Gus convention.....

My eBay sales account have turned into a $20 bill dispenser now that I'm getting ~50% of sales from overseas. I've gone from 2 sales to 5 sales a week and average selling price is way up.

I had spent the account down to zero a couple of weeks ago and now it's back over $300. WooooHoooooo - very handy around ther holidays! I haven't gotten any ATM spending cash out of our real bank account in over a month.

tazawa055

352 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

5. Nov 24, 2007 1:54 PM

in response to: JimUB

Re: Shoppers from overseas

quote:<HR>Originally posted by MnD:
A weak dollar has good and bad but I'll dump some good news on this Gloomy Gus convention.....

My eBay sales account have turned into a 0 bill dispenser now that I'm getting ~50% of sales from overseas. I've gone from 2 sales to 5 sales a week and average selling price is way up.

I had spent the account down to zero a couple of weeks ago and now it's back over 00. WooooHoooooo - very handy around ther holidays! I haven't gotten any ATM spending cash out of our real bank account in over a month. <HR>

Wow, that is good news!

JimUB

103 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

6. Nov 24, 2007 2:15 PM

in response to: JimUB

Re: Shoppers from overseas

quote:<HR>Originally posted by MnD:
A weak dollar has good and bad but I'll dump some good news on this Gloomy Gus convention.....

My eBay sales account have turned into a 0 bill dispenser now that I'm getting ~50% of sales from overseas. I've gone from 2 sales to 5 sales a week and average selling price is way up.

I had spent the account down to zero a couple of weeks ago and now it's back over 00. WooooHoooooo - very handy around ther holidays! I haven't gotten any ATM spending cash out of our real bank account in over a month. <HR>

Well, maybe that's good news for you, Murky Mark, but what does it say about the average American's purchasing power when most of the people who can afford your stuff are from overseas?

Oh, I forgot. "If things are going well for Mark, they're going well for everyone, NO EXCEPTIONS, And anyone who disagrees is a Gloomy Gus (until it comes time to pay the extra taxes)."

CLB018

135 posts since
Nov 1, 2006

7. Nov 24, 2007 2:25 PM

in response to: JimUB

Re: Shoppers from overseas

quote:<HR>Originally posted by JimUB:
Well, maybe that's good news for you, Murky Mark, but what does it say about the average American's purchasing power when most of the people who can afford your stuff are from overseas?

<HR>

I don't think the presence of foreigners in our malls means that Americans cannot afford to shop in America; only that our market has expanded and our retail offerings more desirable . Which I think is good news, for all of us.

makeda023

825 posts since
Aug 16, 1999

8. Nov 24, 2007 2:33 PM

in response to: JimUB

Re: Shoppers from overseas

It does give one pause. It reminds me of how I felt when an IT worker from Calif talked compared the housing market here to shopping at a thrift store.

USers - Remember this the next time you consider a 'cheap' vacation in Mexico or the Caribbean.

MnD

146 posts since
Jan 21, 2005

9. Nov 24, 2007 4:02 PM

in response to: JimUB

Re: Shoppers from overseas

quote:<HR>Originally posted by JimUB:
what does it say about the average American's purchasing power when most of the people who can afford your stuff are from overseas?
<HR>

How else would you remedy the situation where a very wealthy nation runs a chronic current acounts deficit? The US, a very wealthy country is buying a lot more cheap foreign goods relative to US goods and services sold to foreigners. Currency revaluations is how these trade imbalances correct themselves.

What would you suggest as an alternative? Free trade bans and import tariffs?

pigeye097

214 posts since
Nov 2, 2006

10. Nov 24, 2007 4:29 PM

in response to: JimUB

Re: Shoppers from overseas

I have friends that are flying to New York to do Christmas shopping because they'll save enough (due primarily to the low dollar) to pay for the trip.

makeda023

825 posts since
Aug 16, 1999

11. Nov 24, 2007 4:46 PM

in response to: JimUB

Re: Shoppers from overseas

quote:<HR>Originally posted by pigeye:
I have friends that are flying to New York to do Christmas shopping because they'll save enough (due primarily to the low dollar) to pay for the trip. <HR>

Tell them to bring you a bag of grits!

pigeye097

214 posts since
Nov 2, 2006

12. Nov 24, 2007 5:00 PM

in response to: JimUB

Re: Shoppers from overseas

quote:<HR>Originally posted by makeda:
Tell them to bring you a bag of grits!<HR>

With the dollar as low as it is, I'm ordering some to be delivered.
That, and a big ol' pot of hoppin' john for New Year's.

janSport

307 posts since
Dec 12, 2007

13. Dec 20, 2007 5:44 PM

in response to: JimUB

Re: Shoppers from overseas

quote:<HR>Originally posted by pigeye:
I have friends that are flying to New York to do Christmas shopping because they'll save enough (due primarily to the low dollar) to pay for the trip. <HR>

I´d be doing that if I wasn´t so dang house poor.

As it is , GAP kids online and a few other online merchants will be getting my business.

And yes, I am having speckle heart grits shipped in!

Re the low $$, expect to see tourists coming in for skiing and this summer. That is good news. It´s the best foreign policy a country can have. There are so many misconceptions about the US and its citizens. Visits dispel those.

http://This message has been edited by SloJan (edited Nov-25-2007).

bigapplepie

2,636 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

14. Nov 25, 2007 7:20 AM

in response to: JimUB

Re: Shoppers from overseas

It happened in the UK in the 1970's. I was stacking shelves in the north-east of England when tons of Scandinavians were coming over on the ferry and buying in bulk.

If it stimulates the economy why is it a bad thing?

Go to original post

Nov 24, 2007 12:49 PM

Shoppers from overseas

Actions

More Like This

New Runners

Training

Competition

Age Groups

Fitness

The Lighter Side

Feedback

Related Links